Fashion and Design

It is easy to love Swedish fashion and design. Its sheer beauty teamed up with practicality make living without it almost unimaginable. Sweden is the home of H&M as well as upcoming talented designers not yet on the international scene but with their own stores. Design aficionados discover items that are distinctively Swedish. Famous names in glassware such as Kosta Boda and Orrefors still set a world standard.

Walk down the street in any larger city in Sweden and you might ask yourself if you’ve suddenly stepped into a fashion photo shoot. Swedes have an eye for fashion and they are a well-dressed bunch. In recent years Swedish designers have become internationally renowned and fashion brands such as Acne (www.acnestudios.com) is taking London by storm.

The Mercedes Benz Stockholm Fashion Week

The Mercedes Benz Stockholm Fashion Week (www.mercedesbenzfashionweek.se) is a twice-annual affair where Sweden's most prominent fashion labels showcase their collections to invited international press, buyers and fashion industry. If you are in Stockholm in February and/or August you will find the city buzzing with excitement with fashion events taking place all around the city.

For a sleek look with clean lines and the best place for high quality basics head to Filippa K (www.filippa-k.com) . For the best skinny jeans, head to Weekday (www.weekday.se) and pick up a pair from Cheap Monday. Highly fashionable, at a budget-friendly price.

Curious to find out where Swedish fashion bloggers pick up their latest bargains? Monki (http://monkiworld.com) is the place. At H&M prices, with an exceptional eye for details and the latest trends.

And when we are on the topic of H&M (www.hm.com): with its 135 stores around Sweden you are never too far from one. Stop by and get your fashion fix whilst visiting H&Ms birth country.

For a Swedish take on preppy, check out Gant (www.gant.com) and for great menswear and desirable work wear, Tiger of Sweden is the place to go (www.tigerofsweden.com).Swedish jewellers Snö of Sweden (www.snoofsweden.se) makes beautiful pieces using materials such as silver, pearls and glass – often in shapes of drops of snow.

Finally, if you are looking for that perfect gift to bring back home: head to Designtorget (www.designtorget.se/designtorget/en) for interior design from up and coming as well as established Swedish designers. Find fun quirky gifts and beautiful house ware with a truly unique feel.